BMW opens two new on-road rider training centres

BMW’S WELL known for its off-road training schools of course. The BMW Off Road Skills schools in Wales and globally do a grand job of training up existing riders to take their GS machines off road for adventures or just some dirt tracking fun.

But the firm is up against it a bit offering new rider training. It doesn’t make any 125cc learner bikes, so its own-brand training has to focus on the Direct Access route, where riders go straight onto intensive training courses on larger capacity machines.

It’s been doing this for a while now at two special training centres – one in Royston, Hertfordshire, and one in Stoke-on-Trent in the West Midlands. And now there’s another two centres opening – one in Edinburgh, Scotchlandia, and one in Darlington, County Durham.

Like the current sites, the new centres will offer a comprehensive suite of training for those learning to ride – as well as advanced RoSPA-spec training for more experienced riders who’ve already passed their test, but are looking to hone their skillz further.

Scott Grimsdall, BMW UK’s PR guru, said: “The addition of BMW Rider Training centres in Darlington and Edinburgh will enable thousands more new and experienced motorcyclists to experience the best bikes with the best instructors, while benefitting from the highest standards of tuition and safety. We are immensely proud that since opening our first BMW Motorrad training centre in 2006, we have helped more than 10,000 people to learn to ride and grow their skills.”

According to BMW, its Rider Training centres offer ‘a suite of Direct Access courses that fast-track new riders to pass their full motorcycle test (over four-to-seven-day courses). The riding schools also train seasoned riders with three levels of road skills courses refining and enhancing roadcraft and ultimately offering participants the chance to take their Advanced Rider Test with an independent RoSPA examiner.’

The new BMW Rider Training North East site in Darlington is next to the Durham Tees Valley Airport, just off the A66/A67 junction, and the Scottish site in Bonnyrigg is just five minutes from the local Eskbank train station and BMW centre in Dalkeith.

Both schools offer riders a broad selection of BMW bikes upon which to learn and enhance their skills – from the capable BMW G 310 R roadster to the renowned R 1200 GS adventure bike. They also offer BMW’s industry-leading ‘Rookie to Rider’ scheme, which gives you a new BMW bike and a full-set of safety gear, alongside a seven-day Direct Access course, for just £650 contribution and as little as £109 a month.

To find out more about BMW Rider Training or to book a course, call the World of BMW team on 08000 131 282, or go to www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/en/world-of-bmw/rider-training.html.